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The Maori Canoe

Te Ahi o Hurihanga

Te Ahi o Hurihanga

Tuta Nihoniho informs me that in former times, when a party was about to start out on a war expedition by canoe, a curious ceremony was performed by tohunga, in which a sacred fire known by the above name was kindled. This rite included the recital of certain charms or invocations, which were supposed to have the effect of causing misfortunes to afflict the enemy, and of bringing good luck to the war-canoes and their occupants.